Editing Lawyer (section)

=== Titles ===
[[File:Juris_Doctor_diploma.jpg|right|thumb|Example of a diploma from [[Suffolk University Law School]] conferring the Juris Doctor degree]]
Historically, lawyers in most European countries were addressed with the title of doctor. The first [[University degree|university degrees]], starting with the law school of the [[University of Bologna]] in the 11th century, were all law degrees and doctorates.<ref>Herbermann, et al. (1915). [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05072b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804141252/http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05072b.htm|date=2017-08-04}}. New York: Encyclopedia Press. Accessed May 26, 2008. García y García, A. (1992). [https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z1VBEbF0HAC&dq=bologna+doctor+title&pg=PP1 "The Faculties of Law] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103014926/https://books.google.com/books?id=5Z1VBEbF0HAC&pg=RA1-PA399&lpg=RA1-PA399&dq=bologna+doctor+title&source=web&ots=ov98N_ekq2&sig=nAvm4JUEZJg389NCdSNfX1Gc-7s&hl=en#PPP1,M1|date=2016-01-03}}", ''[[A History of the University in Europe]]'', London: Cambridge University Press. Accessed May 26, 2008.</ref> Therefore, in many southern European countries, including Portugal, Italy and Malta, lawyers have traditionally been addressed as "doctor", a practice which was transferred to many countries in South America and [[Macau]]. In some jurisdictions, the term "doctor" has since fallen into disuse, but it is still in use in many countries within and outside of Europe.<ref>[http://www.italgiure.giustizia.it/nir/lexs/1938/lexs_112065.html Regio Decreto 4 giugno 1938, n.1269] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090809170627/http://www.italgiure.giustizia.it/nir/lexs/1938/lexs_112065.html|date=2009-08-09}}, Art. 48. {{in lang|it}}. Accessed February 10, 2009.</ref><ref>Florida Bar News.In Italy J.D. holders use the title of Dottore, but lawyers who have qualified for the bar only use the style Avvocato. [http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5764887/Debate-over-doctor-of-law.html Debate over 'doctor of law' title continues] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804195127/http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5764887/Debate-over-doctor-of-law.html|date=2009-08-04}}. Florida Bar Association, July 1, 2006.</ref>

The title of doctor has traditionally not been used to address lawyers in England or other common law countries. Until 1846, lawyers in England were trained by apprenticeship or in the Inns of Court, with no undergraduate degree being required.<ref>Stein, R. (1981). [http://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/228/ The Path of Legal Education from Edward to Langdell: A History of Insular Reaction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303194828/https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/lawfaculty/228/|date=2021-03-03}}, Pace University School of Law Faculty Publications, 1981, 57 Chi.-Kent L. Rev. 429, pp. 430, 432, 434, 436</ref> Although the most common law degree in the United States is the [[Juris Doctor]],<ref>Association of American Universities Data Exchange. [http://www.pb.uillinois.edu/aaude/documents/graded_glossary.doc Glossary of Terms for Graduate Education]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304031242/http://www.pb.uillinois.edu/aaude/documents/graded_glossary.doc|date=2009-03-04}}. Accessed May 26, 2008; National Science Foundation (2006). [https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06312/nsf06312.pdf NSF.gov]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308130032/http://spellmirelaw.com/|date=2016-03-08}} "Time to Degree of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients", "Info brief, Science Resource Statistics" NSF 06-312, 2006, p. 7. (under "Data notes" mentions that the J.D. is a professional doctorate); San Diego County Bar Association (1969). [https://archive.today/20070807073217/http://www.sdcba.org/ethics/ethicsopinion69-5.html "Ethics Opinion 1969-5"]. Accessed May 26, 2008. (under "other references" discusses differences between academic and professional doctorate, and statement that the J.D. is a professional doctorate); University of Utah (2006). [http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/catalog/degree.php University of Utah&nbsp;– The Graduate School&nbsp;– Graduate Handbook]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626081148/http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/catalog/degree.php|date=2008-06-26}}. Accessed May 28, 2008. (the J.D. degree is listed under doctorate degrees); German Federal Ministry of Education. [http://www.blk-bonn.de/papers/hochschulsystem_usa.pdf "U.S. Higher Education / Evaluation of the Almanac Chronicle of Higher Education"]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080413192035/http://www.blk-bonn.de/papers/hochschulsystem_usa.pdf|date=2008-04-13}}. Accessed May 26, 2008. (report by the German Federal Ministry of Education analysing the Chronicle of Higher Education from the U.S. and stating that the J.D. is a professional doctorate); Encyclopædia Britannica. (2002). "Encyclopædia Britannica", 3:962:1a. (the J.D. is listed among other doctorate degrees).</ref> most J.D. holders in the United States do not use the title "doctor".<ref>American Bar Association. [https://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/aba/mcpr/MCPR.HTM Model Code of Professional Responsibility] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830003633/https://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/aba/mcpr/MCPR.HTM|date=2017-08-30}}, Disciplinary Rule 2–102(E). Cornell University Law School, LLI. Accessed February 10, 2009. Peter H. Geraghty. [http://www.abanet.org/media/youraba/200709/ethics.html Abanet.org] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708231553/http://www.abanet.org/media/youraba/200709/ethics.html|date=2008-07-08}}</ref> It is, however, common for lawyers in the United States to use the honorific suffix "Esq." (for "[[Esquire]]").

In [[French language|French]] ([[France]], [[Quebec]], [[Belgium]], [[Luxembourg]], [[French-speaking area of Switzerland]]) and [[Dutch language|Dutch]]-speaking countries ([[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]]), legal professionals are addressed as {{lang|fr|Maître ...}}, abbreviated to {{lang|fr|M<sup>e</sup> ...}} (in French) or {{lang|nl|Meester ...}}, abbreviated to {{lang|nl|mr. ...}} (in Dutch). In [[Poland]], the title {{lang|pl|Mecenas}} is used to refer to advocates and attorneys at law,<ref>{{cite web |title=mecenas |url=https://sjp.pwn.pl/sjp/mecenas |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=sjp.pwn.pl |language=Polish}}</ref> although as an informal title its status is not protected by law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mecenas a adwokat – w czym tkwi różnica? |url=https://adwokat-ambicki.pl/mecenas-a-adwokat-w-czym-tkwi-roznica/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=Adwokaci Ambicki Trela |date=5 September 2022 |language=Polish}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tytuł "mecenas" zarezerwowany jest dla adwokatów i radców prawnych |url=https://www.adwokatura.pl/z-zycia-nra/tytul-mecenas-zarezerwowany-jest-dla-adwokatow-i-radcow-prawnych/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |website=Adwokatura Polska |language=Polish}}</ref>

In South Africa and India, lawyers who have been admitted to the bar may use the title "Advocate", abbreviated to "Adv" in written correspondence. Lawyers who have completed two years of clerkship with a principal Attorney and passed all four board exams may be admitted as an "Attorney". Likewise, Italian law graduates who have qualified for the bar use the title "Avvocato", abbreviated in "Avv."